A rascal, a board game, and a game night that was supposed to be simple.
Azusagawa Sakuta just wanted a quiet summer. Instead, he found an old board game left behind at his part-time job—"Youth Sugoroku: Musubi Dice"—and brought it home as a souvenir for his little sister. But the moment Kaede saw the box, her smile flickered, and something dark surfaced in her eyes.
No rulebook. No numbers on the die. Just strange symbols, and a board that looks suspiciously like their own neighborhood—Minega
Rascal Does Not Dream of Everyone Playing Games - The true feelings after the blackout, and one more roll of the dice
Blackout.
The curtains blocked the afternoon light, turning the living room into the dim bottom of a box.
Five of them sat on the floor.
Nobody moved.
The refrigerator's hum, the air conditioner's breeze—all of it had stopped, and only their own heartbeats echoed unnaturally loud in the depths of their ears.
Azusagawa Sakuta ran a hand through his sleep-mussed black hair.
His deep brown eyes reflected the board on the low table.
*Seishun Sugoroku: Musubi Dice.*
The old board game that had been running wild moments ago now sat quiet as a slab of wood.
"...The blackout's sure lasting a while."
Sakurajima Mai spoke quietly.
The tips of her long black hair swayed faintly. Her rabbit-shaped hair clip glinted in the gloom.
"It's not the breaker. It's not just this room—the whole area's down. The traffic lights outside are out too."
Rio pushed up the frame of her glasses with a finger. She pulled a small penlight from the pocket of her white coat.
"As expected of the science club. Always prepared, even for a blackout."
"Unlike you, I believe in being ready."
Rio's voice was as flat as ever.
But.
Her fingertips were trembling, just slightly.
Sakuta noticed.
(...Futaba's scared too, huh.)
That runaway board. The feeling of having the depths of your heart dragged out by force.
Nobody could stay calm through that.
"Ugh, it's so dark I can't see a thing! Hey, somebody turn on their phone light!"
Nodoka raised her voice theatrically.
Her hair, trimmed to shoulder length, curled softly inward at the ends. Her pale pink knit sweater floated vaguely in the dimness.
"Hey, if word gets out that an idol was freaking out in a pitch-black room, what'll happen on social media?"
"It won't get out! And anyway, you don't even have a phone, Sakuta-kun! Useless!"
"Sorry for not having one."
"Um... Kaede can go get the flashlight. It should be in your room, big brother..."
Kaede spoke up hesitantly.
Her bright hair, which fell to about her shoulders, bounced left and right. She fidgeted with the sleeves of her panda-patterned pajamas.
"Kaede-chan, can you go by yourself? It's pitch dark."
"Yes. It's okay. Kaede's eyes are used to this room."
Kaede said that and stood up.
She wobbled slightly.
"Don't push yourself. I'll go."
Sakuta started to rise too.
"No, please sit, big brother. Kaede can do it."
Kaede shook her head slightly.
Her voice wasn't trembling.
Sakuta watched his little sister's back disappear into the darkness.
Footsteps heading into the hallway.
Pitter-patter, small.
(...You've gotten stronger, Kaede.)
The thought came with a small pang in his chest.
She'd had no choice but to become strong.
Because of that bullying on social media.
"...Hey, Sakuta-kun."
Nodoka lowered her voice.
"What?"
"That game earlier... wasn't it seriously messed up? It felt like my whole heart was being looked at."
"...Yeah. It was messed up."
Sakuta answered shortly.
"That was a phenomenon where our puberty syndrome got projected onto the board. ...In other words, that game is like a device that amplifies and visualizes our psychological states."
Rio shone her penlight on the board.
"A device...? So Rio-chan, that game really isn't a normal game?"
"A normal game wouldn't cause a blackout. ...At least, that's the conclusion I've reached."
"...Futaba, are you really okay? Your piece kept landing on the 'Being Alone Is Easier' square."
At Sakuta's words, Rio's shoulders twitched.
"...Of course I'm not okay. But me falling apart won't improve the situation. Besides..."
Rio cut off there.
Behind her glasses, her eyes wavered in the darkness.
"...Besides?"
Mai prompted gently.
Rio let out a small breath.
"...Besides, I know why I kept landing on that square."
Rio's voice was just slightly damp.
That's when.
Pitter-patter—the footsteps returned.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I found the flashlight."
Kaede came back into the living room.
In her hands, an old flashlight.
"Thank you, Kaede-chan. That helps."
Mai took the flashlight from Kaede.
She flipped the switch, and white light stretched toward the ceiling.
"Ooh, bright, bright! Now we can relax!"
Nodoka celebrated theatrically.
"Can't you be quiet even during a blackout?"
"No! Because I'm scared of the dark!"
"...Nodoka-san, you're cute."
Kaede giggled.
That laughter, strangely, made the room's air just a little lighter.
"...Hey, everyone."
Mai set the flashlight on the table.
The light scattered off the ceiling, faintly illuminating all five faces.
"...While we have the chance, there's something I want to say. ...Not about the game or anything like that—about ourselves. Something more personal."
Mai's voice was quiet.
But her eyes swept steadily across everyone.
"Mai-san...?"
Sakuta looked at Mai's profile.
Her dark eyes caught the flashlight's glow, shimmering.
"That game earlier forced me to see my own past. ...How I was always expected to be perfect in the entertainment industry. How afraid I was of becoming invisible to everyone around me."
Mai wove her words slowly.
"...I thought to myself. If my heart's going to be laid bare like that anyway, I'd rather be the one to speak first."
"Mai-san..."
Sakuta gently took Mai's hand.
Her fingertips were cold as ice.
"...It's fine. I'm not running anymore."
Mai squeezed his hand back.
Her grip was faint, but it held unmistakable resolve.
"...I'll talk too."
Rio said quietly.
"Futaba...?"
Sakuta looked at Rio.
Rio took off her glasses.
"...I always thought being alone was easier. ...When you're with someone, you have to meet their expectations. I'm afraid of disappointing them. ...But."
Rio gripped the removed glasses tightly with both hands.
"...But I guess I was wrong. ...Because the rascal pig was always right beside me. ...I understand now—I was never alone."
Rio's voice was shaking.
Tears in the voice of a girl who never showed emotion.
Sakuta's breath caught.
"...Futaba..."
He had to say something.
He thought that, but the words wouldn't come.
"...I'll say it too."
Nodoka sniffled.
"...I've been playing the perfect idol all this time. ...I've never shown the real me to anyone. ...And it wore me out."
Nodoka's voice had lost all its usual brightness.
"...I really wanted to be a more ordinary girl. ...I wanted to enjoy fashion not because I'm an idol, but because I like it."
Tears traced down Nodoka's cheeks.
"Nodoka-san..."
Kaede gently nestled up beside Nodoka.
"...Kaede-chan, I'm sorry. ...I'm crying."
"No. ...Kaede is happy that you told us the truth, Nodoka-san."
Kaede softly stroked Nodoka's back.
Her touch was somehow just like Sakuta's.
"...Kaede has something she wants to say too."
Kaede lifted her face.
Her big dark eyes reflected the flashlight, glistening.
"...Kaede's always causing trouble for everyone. ...But the game was fun. ...Kaede was happy to be with everyone."
Kaede's voice trembled.
"...Even without a phone, Kaede is happy to be connected to everyone. ...Not just big brother—Kaede wants to connect with Mai-san, and Rio-san, and Nodoka-san too."
Tears streamed down Kaede's cheeks one after another.
But.
Her face was smiling.
Not a forced smile.
A natural smile, overflowing from the bottom of her heart.
Seeing that smile, something tightened hard in Sakuta's chest.
(I...)
(I was so busy thinking about protecting Kaede)
(I never really listened to how Kaede felt)
Sakuta bit his lip.
The taste of iron spread through his mouth.
"...Kaede."
Sakuta reached for Kaede's head.
"...You were thinking all that. ...And I never noticed at all."
"...Big brother always protected Kaede. ...So Kaede thought she had to keep smiling so you wouldn't worry."
"...You idiot. ...If you're not smiling, I worry way more."
Sakuta ruffled Kaede's hair roughly.
"...Yes. ...I'm sorry."
"...Don't apologize. ...I'm the one who should be sorry."
Sakuta gently hugged Kaede.
Her body was small and warm.
"...Sakuta."
Mai called his name.
"...What?"
Sakuta looked at Mai while still holding Kaede.
Mai was gazing straight at him.
"...I understand that you treasure Kaede-chan. ...But you're allowed to lean on someone too. ...Lean on me."
Mai's voice was trembling.
"...Mai-san..."
Sakuta was at a loss for words.
Mai, who as a national actress had always been expected to be perfect.
That Mai was now laying her own weakness bare.
"...I want you to lean on me. ...Every time you try to carry everything alone, it makes me sad."
"...Mai-san, you were thinking that?"
"...Yes. ...I've always thought it. ...But I couldn't say it. ...Because I'm proud."
Mai smiled wryly.
"...I know. Mai-san's got a lot of pride."
"...Idiot. ...Is that really what you say right now?"
Mai flicked Sakuta's forehead with her fingertip.
"...That hurts. ...But thanks. ...Mai-san."
Sakuta took Mai's hand.
"...I thought... I want to know everyone better. ...Even without the game, I want to really connect."
Sakuta spoke his true feelings.
"...Yes. ...We feel the same."
Mai smiled.
"...Me too! I want to get closer to everyone too! As the real me!"
Nodoka wiped her tears and laughed.
"...Me too. ...Because I realized I'd rather be with everyone than alone."
Rio put her glasses back on.
"...Futaba, you're actually pretty cute without your glasses."
Sakuta stared at Rio's face.
"...Are you an idiot? ...Could you not say things like that so casually?"
Rio blushed and turned away.
"...But it's true. Rio-san, you're really beautiful without your glasses."
Mai laughed.
"...Right, right! Rio-chan, have more confidence!"
Nodoka clapped Rio on the shoulder.
"...You're all so annoying. ...Leave me alone."
Rio's lips curved, just barely.
"...Hey, everyone."
Sakuta looked around at all their faces.
"...Want to play the game again? ...This time, no secrets."
At Sakuta's words.
Everyone looked at each other.
"...Yes. ...Let's play again. No secrets this time."
"...If we're collecting data, we need everyone's honest feelings. ...Right?"
Rio pushed up her glasses.
"...Of course! This time, my piece is going to be the star!"
"...Kaede will play too. ...This time, Kaede wants to play while talking with everyone more."
The five of them laughed together.
That's when.
Click—the lights came on.
The blackout was over.
"...Oh, power's back."
Sakuta squinted up at the ceiling light.
"...Then shall we begin? ...Once more."
Mai picked up the die.
That die carved with strange symbols.
"...Kaede-chan, want to roll first?"
Mai held the die out to Kaede.
"...Kaede? ...But Kaede doesn't have a phone, so it might stop again..."
Kaede stared at the die anxiously.
"...It's okay. ...I'm sure this time will be different."
Mai gently closed Kaede's hand around the die.
"...Kaede. ...You roll. ...We'll move forward with you."
Sakuta placed his hand on Kaede's shoulder.
"...Yes. ...Then here I go."
Kaede cupped the die in both hands.
And gently rolled it across the low table.
Clatter, clatter, clatter...
The die tumbled across the board.
What it landed on was.
The symbol for "Connecting with People."
In that instant.
The board began to give off a soft, warm light.
"...It's glowing..."
Sakuta's eyes widened.
The light wasn't blinding at all.
It was gentle and warm, illuminating all five faces.
"...Kaede's piece is moving..."
Mai pointed at the board.
Kaede's piece had begun to move, slowly.
It passed the square that had always stopped her, the one restricted by not having a phone.
And it landed on the "Connecting with Everyone" square.
"...Kaede moved forward...! I landed on the connecting-with-everyone square...!"
Tears spilled from Kaede's eyes.
"...You did it, Kaede-chan! Amazing, amazing!"
Nodoka threw her arms around Kaede.
"...I'm so happy for you, Kaede-chan."
Mai gently stroked Kaede's
Novelia is an AI-powered platform to read original light novels and fan fiction, create your own in just a few taps, and chat with the characters. New, illustrated episodes arrive daily — free to start.